"If you were to die tonight, would you go to heaven?"
"Oh, no, I am not good enough for that!"
"If you were to die tonight, would you go to hell?"
"I am not bad enough for that."
This was part of a conversation that took place between two men several years ago.
How many, when asked where they would be if suddenly ushered into eternity, declare that they are not "good enough" to go to heaven, and not "bad enough" to go to hell. Where, then, would they go? Multitudes of persons suppose that it is "good people" who get to heaven—and that it is "bad" persons who are sent to hell. God's Word declares that "there is none righteous, no, not one." Rom. 3:1010As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (Romans 3:10); "there is no difference, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:22, 2322Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:22‑23); "There is none that doeth good, no, not one." Psa. 14:33They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Psalm 14:3).
True, some have fallen farther short of God's standard than others; but ALL have "come short," and "there is no difference" as to the fact of guilt. "All we like sheep have gone astray." Isa. 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6). Some have wandered farther from the path of obedience than others, but all have departed from it; and "whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." Jas. 2:1010For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. (James 2:10).
All deserve sin's wages, which is eternal separation from God in conscious misery. If we received what our sins merit, not one of us would ever see or enter the abode of bliss. Scripture declares that there are but two classes of people—those who are saved and those who are lost; those who are justified and those who are condemned; those who are traveling on the broad road and those who are traveling on the narrow.
To which class does the reader belong? Don't say that "no one can know." The early Christians knew that they were SAVED (Eph. 2:8,98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9)); PARDONED, (Eph. 4:3232And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32)); JUSTIFIED, (1 Cor. 6:1111And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)); REDEEMED, (Eph. 1:77In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7)); and POSSESSED everlasting life. Do you?
It is of no use saying that you have not "the assurance"! It would be very wrong for any one to say that he had the "assurance of salvation" if he were not a real Christian. I had two "assurances." The first one was that I was guilty, lost, condemned, and utterly unable to do anything to save my soul. The second "assurance" I found in God's blessed Word was this, that the Lord Jesus was wounded for my transgressions, and bruised for my iniquities; that the chastisement of my peace was upon Him, and through His stripes I was healed!
What a wonderful discovery! How blessed the "assurance" that the Lord Jesus bled, suffered, and died in my stead. I have assurance of the Word of the living God that all who believe on Him who paid sin's debt are eternally saved. (John 6:29, 4729Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (John 6:29)
47Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. (John 6:47)).
God is willing to save you as you read these lines. Are you willing to be saved by the Lord Jesus? Are you willing to be saved in God's way? Are you willing to be saved in God's time? God's way of salvation is, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved," Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31).
"God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 2 Cor. 5:19, 2019To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:19‑20).
Perhaps you have been praying God to be reconciled to you, ignorant of the wondrous fact that all the time He has been beseeching you to be reconciled to Him. The ground on which He can righteously do so is contained in this verse: "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Cor. 5:2121For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Believe on Him who loved you and gave Himself for you. Then you too "shall be saved."